The true horse migrated from the Americas to Eurasia via Beringia, becoming broadly distributed from North America to central Europe, north and south of Pleistocene ice sheets. It became extinct in Beringia around 14,200 years ago, and in the rest Read more…
The image of American Indians on horseback is iconic, but indigenous populations didn’t actually encounter horses until the 15th century, when Europeans ironically brought them to America as weapons of conquest. The Comanche adopted the horse as an important ally Read more…
Fourteen horses. Fourteen horses played Joey during the movie. The main acting horse in the film, Finder’s Key, also portrayed Seabiscuit (2003) in the eponymous movie about the famous racehorse. How many horses were used for Joey in War Horse? Read more…
During the 16th Century the Spanish Conquistadors transported horses to the New World by boat. How were horses transported in the 1800s? By row boat. If shipping horses on oar-powered boats sounds like a terrible, terrible idea, it was even Read more…
Riding hats were first worn in the late 18th century as a fashion item, rather than for safety reasons. Today, a hat is vital to protect the rider’s head, as without the necessary safety wear, falling from a horse can Read more…
Extinct, but not lost The last European wild horse died out as late as in 1909. Before that, wild horses roamed through most of Europe’s ecosystems, from deserts, steppes and savannahs to deep forests and high mountains. It was exterminated Read more…
Horses were first domesticated in the Pontic-Caspian steppes, northern Caucasus, before conquering the rest of Eurasia within a few centuries. Which country did horses originate from? Horses, the scientists conclude, were first domesticated 6000 years ago in the western part Read more…
European settlers brought a variety of horses to the Americas. The first imports were smaller animals suited to the size restrictions imposed by ships. Starting in the mid-19th century, larger draft horses began to be imported, and by the 1880s, Read more…
The conquistadors who sailed to the New World had grown up on ranches and farms. They had ridden horses since their youth, and brought their finest animals with them. Did the conquistadors bring horses to America? Horses first returned to Read more…
Horses also represent war, strength, and power. Horses and mounted warriors have been partners for thousands of years and have clashed in bloody conflicts all over the world. War horses are mighty beasts who represent discipline, ferocity, strength, and violence. Read more…